2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE300 4MATIC Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz’s all-new CLE-Class marks a shift for the brand, slotting in to replace both the C-Class and E-Class Cabriolets.

But this isn’t just a model merger; the CLE has the proportions and personality to stand on its own as Mercedes’ premier four-seat coupe or convertible, capturing a mix of luxury, technology, and practicality.

With a turbocharged four-cylinder and Mercedes’ signature 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet brings year-round appeal to a category often limited to fair weather.

Does this model reinvention hit the right balance? Let’s break it down.

What’s the CLE-Class?

The CLE-Class Cabriolet is Mercedes-Benz’s answer to simplifying its lineup while also adding more heft and grandeur to its four-seat convertible. By merging the smaller C-Class Cabriolet and the larger E-Class Cabriolet, Mercedes has created a model that’s closer to the E-Class in size yet retains the agile proportions of the C-Class.

I think that it’s a new “Goldilocks” size, aiming to appeal to those who found the C-Class a wee bit too cramped and the E-Class too traditional. Note that the E-Class convertible has now been discontinued. The CLE feels more grown-up than the C-Class, perhaps without the stigma of being a baby boomer’s E-Class convertible.

The CLE’s dimensions support this positioning. At 191 inches in length, it’s longer than the C-Class Cabriolet by about 6 inches and has a wheelbase stretched by about an inch (to 112.8 inches). This translates to added legroom and shoulder space, especially for rear passengers, no small feat in a segment that often puts backseat comfort on the backburner.

The CLE also brings the latest Mercedes design language, with subtle power domes on the hood, wide LED taillights with a pseudo full-width light bar, and a sleek “shark nose” front end, making it look every bit a modern Mercedes luxury cabriolet.

The only CLE cabriolet currently offered in Canada for model year 2024 is the CLE300 4MATIC mild-hybrid Cabriolet, whereas the CLE coupe is available as the CLE300 4MATIC or the AMG-enhanced CLE53 4MATIC.

Cabin Technology and Interior

Inside, Mercedes has outfitted the CLE Cabriolet with a refined yet technologically robust setup, starting with the impressive MBUX infotainment system. The cabin features a freestanding 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with an 11.9-inch central touchscreen angled toward the driver.

This centre screen setup, similar to what you’d find on the flagship Mercedes SL roadster, is a combination that brings visual appeal along with practicality, allowing the driver easy access to crucial information and controls.

While at first seeming to be a bit gimmicky, the centre screen can even be power adjusted from 12 to 32 degrees, reducing glare when the top is down. Over the few days that I had the CLE Cabriolet, I came to appreciate how this small yet thoughtful feature shows Mercedes’ attention to detail.

The MBUX system is more than just a pretty interface, it’s highly functional and over the years has evolved to being one of the best in the glass.

This latest MBUX infotainment system offering a customizable digital experience that includes voice-activated commands, navigation, and smartphone integration. With the latest AI-driven updates, MBUX can now learn routines and behaviors to offer helpful suggestions.

It features “standard routines,” like “cold days,” which automatically turns on the seat heating when the temperature dips. Drivers can also create their own routines to personalize the cabin environment further, adjusting settings for lighting, audio, and climate.

For audio enthusiasts, the optional 17 speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos creates a multi-dimensional audio experience, providing passengers with a true 360-degree sound immersion. The system’s clarity and depth are impressive, especially for a convertible. There are even two speakers that are in each front headrest, allowing for a new level of sound animation.

Mercedes says that those with an Apple Music subscription will benefit from the Burmester sound system’s ability to support the ever-growing selection of Spatial Audio songs as the Dolby Atmos system allows individual instruments or voices to be placed around the listening area at their full range, versus the typical left-right dynamics from convention stereo systems.

Part of the reason why the Burmester sound system works so well is because Mercedes has also integrated its famous AIRCAP and Airscarf system in the CLE Cabriolet.

Let’s start with Airscarf, which directs warm air around the necks of front passengers, allowing for comfortable top-down driving even in cooler weather. Paired with this is the AIRCAP system, which deploys a wind deflector on the windshield frame and a rear mesh wind blocker. The combo minimizes air turbulence in the cabin for all four seats.

While not new to the company’s cabriolets, Mercedes has engineered this combination to keep the cabin comfortable even at highway speeds, making it easier to enjoy conversations or music without the usual convertible wind interference. Combined, these systems make the CLE far more usable in a wider range of temperatures, helping it to stand apart from competitors.

In terms of safety, Mercedes has equipped the CLE with extensive measures to make open-top driving feel secure. Reinforced A-pillars and a pop-up roll bar protect passengers in case of a rollover, while additional driver aids like ATTENTION ASSIST and lane-keeping assist, add confidence for longer drives.

There’s even a centre airbag between the front seats, a unique addition in this segment that adds peace of mind for those who want their convertible without compromising on safety.

The CLE’s interior is luxurious, yet practical. Soft-touch materials and an optional nappa leather dash with chrome detailing create a wraparound feel, bringing a bit of high-end polish to the cabin. Mercedes has even thought of sun exposure: the leather seats feature a special coating that reflects infrared rays, keeping the seats cooler than untreated leather on hot days. This seemingly small touch makes a huge difference in comfort, especially on sunny drives.

A massage function is available for driver and front passenger as an option for added luxury and comfort. In the back, the CLE’s rear seats now offer 0.6 inches more legroom and nearly an inch more shoulder room compared to the outgoing C-Class Cabriolet, making the space slightly more functional (but of course far from commodious). Nonetheless, a six-foot-tall passenger can fit behind a similarly sized driver without excessive contortion, though the upright backrest might limit long-term comfort.

Practicality is enhanced with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and with the top up, a pass-through to the trunk allows for more versatile cargo options.

Under the Hood

The CLE 300 Cabriolet’s powertrain is a familiar one, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 delivering 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. What makes it stand out is the integration of a mild hybrid system, a 48-volt electric motor that provides an additional 23 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque when needed as part of “EQ Boost” system.

The mild hybrid’s primary role is to smooth out stop-start functions and allow the engine to “coast” at times, improving fuel efficiency without compromising on power delivery.

While this particular engine won’t satisfy the high-performance cravings of AMG aficionados, it strikes a good balance for the typical luxury convertible driver, offering enough low-end punch for spirited drives but prioritizing smoothness and fuel efficiency. 0-100 km/hr comes and goes in a respectable 6.6 seconds.

The CLE also comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission that works well with the mild hybrid, shifting seamlessly and rarely feeling like it’s hunting for gears. It’s a setup that fits the car’s character: refined and competent without feeling overdone.

How Does It Drive?

Its clear that Mercedes-Benz Canada wanted the CLE to be a convertible that doesn’t have to hibernate in the garage come winter. Standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive broadens the CLE’s appeal for drivers in our True North Strong and Free, where rapid seasonal changes often demand more than that rear-wheel drive can provide.

The permanent all-wheel-drive system improves traction and stability significantly in inclement weather, whether on the rainy or slushy roads of Vancouver or the dry but fluffy snow in the Maritimes.

The CLE’s driving dynamics are tuned more for comfort than for corner-carving, though it handles well for a luxury cabriolet. It’s stable and assured on wet roads, and while it’s not a sports car, the CLE does offer a level of engagement that makes it enjoyable on winding roads or in spirited driving situations.

The adaptive suspension balances smoothness with just enough firmness to avoid feeling floaty. There is almost no cowl shake, even with the roof down, and the multi-layer soft top works with the AIRCAP system to minimize road noise and wind buffeting.

Steering in the CLE is on the lighter side, yet precise enough to inspire confidence. While it lacks the tactile feedback that driving purists might prefer, the CLE’s steering is highly suited to its role as a luxury cruiser. The car doesn’t demand much of the driver, allowing you to focus on enjoying the ride rather than wrestling with the wheel. And with the mild hybrid engine, there’s a surprising amount of low-end torque, making city driving a breeze.

The CLE300’s cabin provides a quieter, more enclosed feel than many other soft-top convertibles, including its predecessors. The highlight is the five-layer soft top, which feels as close to a coupe roof as you can get in a soft-top. This multi-layer structure adds solid insulation against temperature changes and road noise, crucial for a cabriolet with year-round aspirations.

The roof can also be lowered or raised in just 20 seconds at speeds up to 59 km/hr, and when stowed, it tucks away with a tidy automatic partition to keep the trunk space organized. It’s well thought out, even if it doesn’t have quite the elegance of a folding hardtop.

With the AIRCAP system activated, it effectively deflects wind, letting you cruise on the highway without having to hang onto your hat, raise your voice, or crank up the music. This makes longer, top-down drives much more feasible, as passengers won’t be battling with the usual rush of wind to add to the ambient noise.

As expected, the CLE300 Cabriolet is equipped with all of latest Mercedes-Benz suite of driver aids, including an integrated (optional) dash cam that uses one of the forward-facing cameras.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a four-seater convertible that you can drive all year round, the 2024 CLE300 Cabriolet delivers. It has the luxury feel you’d expect from a Mercedes, with a cabin that’s thoughtfully equipped, and technology that adds safety and convenience without overwhelming the driver.

For drivers who prioritize comfort, this setup feels perfectly aligned with the CLE’s luxurious, refined character.